Tempus Fugit
James Aikman
About this work:
TEMPUS FUGIT (2008) by James Aikman
Tempus Fugit was first heard as a concert band piece commissioned by H. Robert Reynolds, and the University of Michigan Symphony Band, on the occasion of his retirement. The work was orchestrated for Maestro Nan Washburn after hearing the work in its original version. The Plymouth Symphony Orchestra commissioned the premiere of the work in its new form.
Tempus Fugit is Latin for “time flees,” more often translated as “time flies.” The term has its origins in a quotation from Virgil, “Sed fugit interea fugit irreparabile tempus,” which means, "But it flees in the meantime: irretrievable time flees.” The term has appeared in numerous ways in music, ranging from Bud Powell, the great jazz pianist to the well known classic rock group, YES.
“When we take time to reflect upon our lives, we see that when engaged in activities that we enjoy or that consume our concentrated efforts, the element of time is barely noticed. In fact, it often goes by, evading our acknowledgement. We can evade time by being actively within, and fully consumed by, the present. In doing so, this often provides many of life’s moments we hold most dear: cherished time with family, loved ones, and friends; a sunrise walk on the beach; fascinating evening conversation; a great book; the end of a four-mile run in the rain; an engaging movie; music that excites and moves us; challenging work in all walks of life that forces us to go beyond what even we believe possible to achieve our very best. In such moments, and many others, it is only when we stop to reflect (if and when we have the chance) that the notion of time’s passing even dawns on us.”
Tempus Fugit is based on a fast-paced, soloistic musical line that is played by various instrumental combinations each time it returns. The piece has an exciting, energetic quality drawn from a constant driving rhythm, percussive outbursts with a contrasting lyric brass chorale in the center.
Version: Orchestra
Year composed: 2008
Duration: 00:07:00
Ensemble type: Orchestra
Instrumentation: